James Honeyman-Scott’s moment in the spotlight was far too brief. He recorded only two albums with the Pretenders before he died of heart failure, but those tracks revealed incredible talent and versatility that quickly made him the most revered guitarist to emerge during the early days of post-punk new wave.

Honeyman-Scott’s solos were concise and economical, getting the point across in only a few measures. His solo on “Kid” is a pop song unto itself that evokes the Beatles’ finest melodic moments, while his three- and four-second bursts on “Tattooed Love Boys” unleash more emotion, fire and style than most guitarists can convey in an extended 15-minute solo.

Unlike most new wave guitarists at the dawn of the Eighties, Honeyman-Scott had impeccable fashion sense. He always maintained a timeless detached rocker look, and his aviator shades, medium-length shag haircut, suit jacket and jeans attire never really went out of style, unlike the geometric haircuts and DayGlo suits that many of his contemporaries wore. He always played the coolest guitars onstage as well, from classic Gibson Les Pauls and Firebirds to custom-made Hamers and Zemaitis metal-front guitars.

He even married a model with coolest imaginable name for a guitarist’s girlfriend—Peggy Sue Fender.

Comments

Most of these guitarist are or were very cool. Not the best shredders or best tone just f'n cool.

Anyone who calls the legendary Lou Reed a buffoon (Billygadol) has no knowledge of rock and roll or American music at all. Lou is among the 5 most influential musicians in American music history. He belongs in the conversation with, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley.

I'm dumbfounded by the choices....sure you came up with some greats, like Page, Gibbons, Van Halen, Jimi, Keef....but to leave out Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Zak Wylde, and the baddest of them all, GARY MOORE?

The author is obviously a huge punk-rock fan, who really hasn't a clue how hard it is to do what the above "unmentioned" could/can do! The glam/punk-rockers may have been cool, but actually sucked at tone and skill.

Put down the crack-pipe, and back away from the table...hands in the air.

Not only is Lou Reed a buffoon, he's also a terrible guitar player. Furthermore, Roy Orbison is a singer and a few others on the list are on the fringe of obscure. To omit Ted Nugent, Angus Young, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler, and Frank Zappa is a crying shame!

WTF People Dimebag Darrell The baddest badass to ever strap on a guitar, Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, Chris Broderick, Steve Vai, Jeff Loomis, Jason Becker, Ace Frehley, Andy James, Michael Angelo Batio And Kane Roberts was pretty badass aswell. Who the hell compiled this list of has beens, It's not very badass now is it.
Oh Dear Guitar World More research is needed I reckon.

John McLaughlin, Gary Hoey, Michael Schenker, Jason Becker, Frank Marino, what the fuck? Are these guys for real? Joe Satriani? Why don't they just stay home and listen to the Bangles all day long? They don't know shit from shinola.

Chuck Berry arrested for having his way with women where you there?, Mick Mars he is Mötley Crüe and is the oldest of all the mates to boot and another is Yngwie J. Malmsteen this guy came from a different planet and we all listen to little of him in everything you hear today if that not Bad Arse then I must have been sober in all those crimes I committed. And where still all a live Hahahahaha?? I feel like these guys everyday.

I agree James Hetfield is one of the coolest guitarists of the world. However, his coolest riff mentioned in the article, "Leper Messiah" was written by Dave Mustaine. Also, you mention "his ability to write the most devastating riffs known to mankind, from “Seek and Destroy” and “Creeping Death” to “Enter Sandman.” " Well, "Enter Sandman" was written by Kirk Hammett.

You're right about the "Enter Sandman" main riff, but wrong about "Leper Messiah." Mustaine only claims to have written "part" of the song, and in an interview he further hung himself by claiming it was his "spider chords." That's about as valid as saying he invented the half-step interval and therefore wrote every riff that uses one.

Mustaine:
"Not only [the songs on] Kill ‘Em All, but 'Ride The Lightning' title track, 'Call Of Kthulu,' parts of 'Leper Messiah…' listen to parts of 'Leper Messiah' and then 'Ride The Lighting.' It’s that same spider chord. I invented that! How the hell can you not credit me for writing that?"

yeah i love James hetfield he has full attitude of Rock star, that's why he is in Metallica that's why he is the richest rock star,that's why he is the greatest front man of all time, that's why he is coolest bad ass guitar play ever on this planet. so, shut the fuck off you all. yeah, i agree guitar player like clapten , Santana whoever they are legend but not cool. This article is about coolest and Most Bad ass Guitarists of All Time!!!!!!!!!

yeah i love James hetfield he has full attitude of Rock star, that's why he is in Metallica that's why he is the richest rock star,that's why he is the greatest front man of all time, that's why he is coolest bad ass guitar play ever on this planet. so, shut the fuck off you all. yeah, i agree guitar player like clapten , Santana whoever they are legend but not cool. This article is about coolest and Most Bad ass Guitarists of All Time!!!!!!!!!

Where is Stevie Ray Vaughan? The most badass guitar players of all time! Only about a third of these belong on the list. The others are punk rockers long on attitude but short on guitar playing ability. Well, I expected a bull shit list from Guitar World and kind of half expected they would omit Stevie Ray but had to go through the whole thing just to make sure. Actually I'm amazed they had as many good guitar players as they did. Did they have Jeff Beck? I don't think they did. What a bullshit list.

They said most badass, frankly guitar chops don't have that much to do with that quality. Yet another GW reader that dismisses what isn't technical. While I like a lot of the guitarists the other commenters have mentioned, I don't think most qualify as badass, although badass is largely subjective. I didn't agree with all the spots on the list, plus I think some great badass players were left off the list, but an enjoyable list nonetheless.

It seriously irks me how many GW Readers are narrow-minded and don't understand style versus technique though. Some of the greatest guitarists of all time were those who understood the concept of simplicity.

I love how you guys were able to say how awesome Hetfield is while taking two thinly veiled shots at Ulrich. I know he's not a guitarist, or really a great musician, but still funny. Hetfield is a perfect pick...

As far as some of the people NOT on here, I love Clapton, Beck, Santana, and some of the others, but I don't see them as badass. And to hell with Nugent...

You mention Santana, which then begs the question, where is Neil Shon? When he left Santana to help form Journey, they created some great hard edge jazz fusion. Well, until they became the ballad juggernauts they morphed into after Steve Perry became lead singer, and even then there was always some monster licks tossed in.
Another glaring omission is Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, who made it cool for someone to be barely over 5 foot tall and still be a rock giant. Ah, a band that were music giants in the 70's and most of them couldn't get on a ride at a Six Flags... Still, they have all of my respect.

Neil Schon?? Hahaahahahahahahahahahaahahahahaha are you seri...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah I'm sorry, I just can't...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I mean NEIL SCHON??!! You got to be joki...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I'm sorry, I just can't stop laughing hahahahahaha...Neil Schon, that's a good one man, thanks for that...hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...

I guess you missed their first album, not a Journey fan myself after that, BUT I can respect talent you ignorant uninformed hack. Laugh all you want, but this is about talent. My personal vote goes to Buck Dharma, with an honorable mention to Iommi, but that's just because I think the 70's ACTUALLY existed unlike Guitar World. Douche. In addition, I've spoken to many band members as I was a roadie for nearly 12 years and he always had the respect of the people I've spoken to for hours at a time. You should really read about music from musicians, not just think about shred, as that's obviously your niche, I've seen many of your posts. Truly, I've often wished I'd spent more time working the guitar myself, but I'd been spending my time lugging gear to care for a young family. If he was good enough to do lead and rhythm for Santana, he probably has a better reputation than you have.

Reach back, pull your butt cheeks apart and pull your head out of the universe you are in. Neil Schon doesn't deserve a top 50 spot, much less a top 5 spot. Hell, take Buck Dharma before him. Take Michael Schenker. John McLaughlin/Carlos Santana, Michael Schenker, Gary Hoey, Jason Becker, Frank Marino, Alex Lifeson, take anyone. I've got all their albums, his playing is lackluster at best, certainly not noteworthy.

Reach back, pull your butt cheeks apart and pull your head out of the universe you are in. Neil Schon doesn't deserve a top 50 spot, much less a top 5 spot. Hell, take Buck Dharma before him. Take Michael Schenker. John McLaughlin/Carlos Santana, Michael Schenker, Gary Hoey, Jason Becker, Frank Marino, Alex Lifeson, take anyone. I've got all their albums, his playing is lackluster at best, certainly not noteworthy.

No Jeff Beck, no Clapton, no Santana, no Satriani, no Vai, no Angus Young... another brain dead list. Lou Reed was a singer and influenced virtually no one on guitar, for him it was more of a writing tool. There are numerous chaps on this list, while somewhat famous, did not have the effect on history that the six above named guitarists did. You call yourselves a GUITAR magazine? Might as well be a knitting self help guide...

Some decent choices but no Angus & Malcom? No Joe Satriani, Steve Vai or Kirk Hammett? One or two missing IMO - but let's not get too excited about it, it'd be a dull old world if we all agreed, wouldn't it?